And Hope Remains

To close out the week a photo taken by someone else of a terrible event that will mar the history of our great nation, that has equally enthralled and horrified us as the news on all of our televisions and radios was filled with disaster and devastation. This is the railway bridge at Grantham where up to 30 cars were crushed in show of the violent strength of flash flooding, many bodies were expected to have been found in the metal graveyard the waters left behind yet today's news tells us that none were found. The numbers of missing people are dropping, thankfully much more quickly than the numbers of bodies found is rising.

This week I have been all at once thankful that I didn't live in an area likely to be affected by these floods and regretful that I didn't live close enough to be able to personally help someone who does. Many people have lost everything they own, some have lost even more; family, friends, loved ones.

Today the cleanup began in earnest in Brisbane, the Aussie Spirit shines on, strong and bright as strangers become friends and lifelong bonds are no doubt built amongst rubble and sludge that will be remembered long after it is gone. Meanwhile in Central Queensland and Northern NSW many roads are still closed by flood waters and in Tasmania and Victoria further incidences of flooding are seeing more people evacuated from their homes.

I'm grateful that in times of need Australian's band together; I hope that we can remember that even in times of relative safety and surety there is always someone in need, always someone who needs a helping hand, a real genuine hug or just a smile from a stranger across a busy room.